The US Pentagon announced on Wednesday that it has completed its military mission in Iraq, with all American troops withdrawing from the country. This move comes as part of an agreement between Washington and Baghdad to end the US military presence in Iraq, which was initially established to combat the Islamic State (ISIS). The agreement was made in 2024, with the goal of gradually withdrawing US troops from the country.
The US military first invaded Iraq in 2003 to overthrow Saddam Hussein's regime and withdrew in 2011. However, in 2014, Iraq's government requested a smaller US-led mission to help combat ISIS, which had taken control of large areas of the country. Since then, the US has maintained a limited presence in Iraq, with hundreds of troops stationed in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region in northern Iraq.
In recent months, the US has withdrawn its troops from most areas of Iraq, but maintained a limited presence in Kurdistan. These bases have come under repeated attack since the US and Israel launched a war against Iran on February 28. The Iraqi government had initially linked the September 30 withdrawal deadline to the disarmament of non-governmental armed groups.
While some smaller groups have agreed to surrender their arms, powerful groups have refused or set conditions for disarmament that are difficult for the government to meet. The withdrawal of US troops may not have an immediate impact, given that the US military presence had already been reduced. However, officials in Kurdistan have expressed concerns about the departure, particularly the removal of US air defense systems.
According to the Kurdistan Regional Government's Ministry of Peshmerga, the region has faced over 1,000 drone and ballistic missile attacks during the recent US-Iran conflict. The ministry stated that the US withdrawal from Kurdistan without providing a defensive system is a cause for concern. The US military withdrawal from Iraq marks a significant shift in the country's security landscape.
The US military presence in Iraq has been a subject of controversy and debate, with some arguing that it is necessary to maintain stability in the region, while others see it as an occupation. The withdrawal of US troops is likely to have significant implications for the region, including the potential for increased instability and conflict.
The US Pentagon's announcement of the completed withdrawal from Iraq marks the end of a nearly two-decade-long military presence in the country. The move is seen as a significant step towards normalizing relations between the US and Iraq, and could potentially pave the way for increased cooperation and diplomacy between the two countries.
Key points
- The US has completed its military mission in Iraq, with all troops withdrawing from the country as part of an agreement between Washington and Baghdad.
